Today we're interviewing New Zealand's Scott Arlidge. For those of you that don't know Scott he's a world champion who's known as one of the strongest distance skaters ever. He recently retired from professional speed skating, despite still being competitive at the highest level of skating. So here we go
1. Scott, you walked away from the sport when you were still one of the best(and maybe arguably the best) distance skater in the world, why and how did you do that, and what do you do now?
Thanks Cheex, but I don't think I was anywhere near the best. I was good on my day, but over the last few years the gaps between the long distance guys at worlds has become very tight. Aside from a few freak performances points races are won and lost by a single point. Anyways I don't know how it happened, but I really just 'enjoyed' the training. For me it was a lot of fun to see how far I could push things. It also became clear to me that I was lacking in the 'start' department so sprinting against the best in the world wasn't going to happen.
Its was a few months out from the 2011 when Matthias Knoll (PS owner) offered me a job to run the speed division of PS. I knew straight away that it was something for me, but just wasn't sure about the logistics. I mean I'd never had a job. I basically left school and starting coming to Europe to race... One thing I did know is that 2011 was going to be my last full crack at a Worlds so I wanted to give it everything. So here I am know riding a desk more often than I used to ride my bike.
Also too, I don't think I walked away from the sport, actually I'm more involved than before. Previously I was very focused on myself and results, but now I'm focused on a far broader range of things.
2. You were at the world champs last season, skated a few races, but obviously weren't your normal self, did a part of you want to spend this year training to show everyone you still had it?
Kinda, but looking back on it all I'm happy. I actually missed it more during the Europeans, because that was the time when I most motivated in World preparations, watching Bart and Fabio etc every year would motivate me for that final push into worlds, but not this year. Its hard to make a living in our sport, so when the opportunity came up I wasn't going to turn it down
3. What did you miss most about competing on the highest level of our sport?
I do miss the training, and I do miss the racing sometimes, but I'm still pretty involved with the team and I still go to most races so there isn't really a lot to miss out on. I guess I do miss that tension before the races. Any athlete knows how it feels.
4. If you could change one thing you did during your entire career, what would it be?
I've never really thought about it because I was in the game long enough to make changes as I went along. Of course there are the races where I think if I'd done such and such a little different I would have won, but everyone has that.
5. Everyone always asks about "a normal training day", you were a fitness freak, I want to know about your absolute hardest training days, what did you do, now that you're retired you can let all of your secrets out.
I did a couple of days that stand out. I remember going out with a bunch of cyclists in my home city of Auckland in NZ. 6+ hours or so later I made it home. I actually must of liked it because I did a couple of other times too, but on skates one day sticks out was in my prep for 2011. In the morning on the track I did about 50km worth of work, some intervals etc. Then in the evening went back down again and did about 40km steady. I guess I didn't do anything super crazy, but it was just accumulated over a few years of work.
However for 2013 I am planning something a little crazy....
6. Who did you look up to as far as athletes, skaters, non skaters... who inspired you.
I grew up through the Chad Hedrick era, so naturally he was impressive to me as a kid.
7. You were one in a group of New Zealand guys that produced so many great skaters, and you always seemed like a tight family, tell me about how you guys grew as skaters, and also remained such good friends.
Yeah the last 10-12 years have been pretty special for NZ skating. I don't really know how it happened. We all grew up together, we all trained together, and we all pretty much lived with each other at one point or another. The NZ scene is pretty small, but I'm sure we produced the best results per capita. Everyone knew everyone, and our families all knew each other. Pete Michael is still going strong, and I hope he can inspire that next batch of kiwis.
8. You've been to some indoor races in the US, and may have the best results of any international skater ever(kicked my butt really bad one year) what did you think about american indoor racing?
I like it. Its not harder or easier than other forms of racing. We do indoor in NZ, however its not like the US. But I lived my whole life about a 5-10min drive from our rink. So I understand the rink culture. I have picked up a couple of wins over the years and I'm pretty proud of them because they are different. Its not just like another marathon or track race in Europe.
9. You're pretty high up at Powerslide... can you let us know any secrets, rocket power skates??
Maybe, we actually just tested ones with rocket launchers that can be used in races... But seriously we are working on some new stuff. In the last few years wheel technology has really blown up. We do have more development coming in the next couple of months. I admit that I can be too focused on the super high end of the sport, but we are also working on some skate packages that will make it easier for everyone to get out there and have a go.
10. Ok, last question.. who is your favorite 6'4 American skater who currently skates on the Powerslide team, of all time???
Jarrett's not 6'4 is he?
Thanks Scott for being my first interview(even if your last answer was the wrong one). If you read this and think about someone you want to read and interview of, let me know on Facebook or Twitter and I'll try and make something happen. Just remember athletes are pretty much the worst people ever at doing stuff like this(I know b/c I'm the absolute worst), Scott is the most reliable skater alive so he went first. There is some people I would love to interview(like an Italian female sprinter who had a crazy world championships that ended up with a 500 meter gold medal), so hopefully I can keep this interesting.
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